Motor size

[Joe's Kid]

I have a 14' Alumacraft that I would like to get out on the river with. It weighs about 125#, and a 38# thrust trolling motor pushes it just fine on a lake.

What is the smallest outboard you would be comfortable with on the Miss. or Minn. River in the MPLS/St. Paul area?

I could get a 6HP for a good price, but don't think it would be quite enough. I'm thinking 9.9 might be enough?

(Why don't they just call it a 10.)

I don't need lots of speed, just want enough if I need to dodge a barge or snag, and enough power to be safe.

What do you think?

[Shack]

I would say, if you get a good deal on motor, try it out and see what happens. You can always sell motor if need be (possibley a profit). If you get a good deal on 9.9 I would take it over 6hp.

With water as low as it is, I would say 6hp could do it. During spring after a good snow fall, it might be hard.

As for naming it 9.9, I would say insurance reason's?

Possibley boat rating's? I do not know?

Could be fedral motor rating's company has to abide by?

Good luck

[dps]

The more motor the better. A 6 isnt going to do you uch when the water is high and there is current, a 9.9 is better and will get you there a little bit quicker... a 15 hp should plane your boat with a passenger in it.

What is the max hp of your boat? 14's can go from 10-40 hp for max rating. The closer you can get to max, the better.

[Joe's Kid]

I don't remember what the max HP rating is, but yes, I agree more motor is better. Just might have to save up a little more money. I don't have any experience boating on the river, so I was looking for some experienced peoples opinions. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

[hanson]

As Tim "The Toolman" Taylor would say, "More Power!"

When motoring back upstream, you'll appreciate every extra horse.

[Joe's Kid]

But what If I'm coming back downstream? Just kidding.

No, really, Tim is right. More power.

Although I would like to hear what people think would be the minimum to be safe, just out of curiosity. Like I said, I have no experience boating on rivers.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Mid-summer I wouldn't want less than a 9.9. In higher water, I'd feel much safer with more. It all depends on the size of the boat and your load, too. If you have to big guys and a cooler of bullies in that 14' boat, a 9.9 might not do it.

[hanson]

Light boat, couple lightweight guys, cattin' gear... 9.9 should be sufficient. It'll still be a struggle at high water heading upstream.

Light boat, couple normal sized guys, cattin' gear, cooler of bait, heavy anchors, etc... definitely 15hp for a minimum IMO.

Dtro has a 14' bench seat model Starcraft with a 25hp Merc Tiller and the boat is perfect IMO. With cattin' gear and a couple of us bigger guys, the boat still scoots very well heading upstream in heavy current.

[sparcebag]

I have a 14'Alum.boat with a 7.5 johnson,its a bit small in heavier flow.on lakes its fine!I just got a 15hp.just because of the river.

[dps]

If this is a light, bench type boat... I would recommend a 15 hp motor. The 15hp motor still has the smaller lower unit which will allow you to run shallower water, light overall weight(if its a 2 stroke), and you should have enough power to maneuver through anything without drafting 3' of water. Most 14' boats will draft less than 2' of water with a 15hp outboard, some wont even draft 1'.

If the boat has floors/deck, etc... your going to want a 25 hp minimum. If this is one of the narrow/shallow 14' bench boats... you dont need a 25 hp motor, in fact, a 25 is too much for some of the old 14' boats.

A 6hp motor... your going to look like a canoe trying to paddle upstream in high water conditions.. dodging back and forth to find slack current areas.

[Joe's Kid]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate all the advice. I'll be passing on the 6 horse. (Kinda figured it was too small.)

Maybe I should do what that guy from Cuba did not long ago and turn my truck into a boat.

... nah, too much work.

[bgreen82]

i run a 14' alumacraft shallow hull style boat. got a 15 merc. on there and i have been out on the river with 3 guys plus gear. the lake for that matter too. it doesnt run at max efficiecy, but i havent worried about being unsafe yet. i have been looking into 25's though cuz id like a little more. just dont know if i want to make an upgrade on a boat i dont hope to have for too long.

[LanceJ]

I have a similar set up. 14ft aluminum boat. I upgraded the 6hp Evinrude last year. I wanted to stay in the OMC family so I opted for a Johnon....but after researching the 9.9/15 family I learned that the 9.9 Johnsons are actually choked down 15's. The only major differences are the exhaust tube and the carb. I figured there wasn't much sense in getting a 9.9 if its really a 15 thats just not living up to its full potential. Furthermore....just about any part you'll ever need is almost always available on fleabay.

One imported thing to note....with my small boat I had to reinforce the transom some to keep it from flexing.

[crazyice]

Look on the bright side bgreen, it will increase it's value when you want to get ride of it.